Sunday, November 11, 2012

P52 | Serene

P52 | Serene


This weeks p52 is a little emotional for me.  We had eight Sweet Gum trees and one Pin Oak tree in our back yard until this week.  We are renters, and my landlord decided they had gotten too tall and was afraid they might break in severe weather (which we get lots of here in the South), and even after asking him on several occasions to reconsider, or just to just "top them off", he still saw fit to have them removed.

Well, if you know me, you know how I feel about trees.  Trees and/or the moon were always an integral part of my drawing, painting and photography, from childhood to present, and these trees, my "grove", were no exception.  I only recently realized how many times I have photographed them in the year we have lived here. My children had a swing hanging from one of them. It is gone.  And of the magical, miniature forest with the clover carpet and canopy of leaves, where my children played, and I watched with my camera, drew inspiration and had my favorite view of the stars, all that remains are 9 stumps and a baron, empty corner of a yard that used to feel like my haven.

So today, my p52 share will be several images of my trees.  That place that was so serene and will be remembered not only in pictures, but in all the memories made under them in the last year of my family's lives.

This image was taken a week before they were cut. See why I am so heartbroken about my trees?

An image I made for some personal stationary (folded 4x5 cards for all occasions)

 lily taking a break from swinging to love on Bokeh. Lily is my youngest and home with me while the others are at school. She spent a lot of time in our "little grove"


Lily on the tree swing that is now gone. 

Storm clouds from last winter.

Those storm clouds are real.  I did enhance the color and contrast, but I took this image because the clouds were so ominous that day.

My most favorite image of all.  Taken last winter, a 30 second exposure. The trees were being lit by neighboring street lights.  It was about 30 degrees (Fahrenheit) that night, and I was holding pizza boxes around the camera to shield the lens from light.

And lastly, an image inspired from the weeks event. It's very different from my usual work, and sort of a creative therapy, if you will.  I call it "Morning Grove".


Now, head on over to Erin Norman | Columbus, MS and check out her work.  Be sire to follow the links for more p52 goodness.

Sunday, November 4, 2012

p52 | SEASON

P52 | Season

Autumn is my favorite time of year.  I love the relief from the sweltering Mississippi heat as the winds pick up and the temperatures fall, the foliage displays the miracles of nature...and for a few weeks, the landscape is drenched in the beautiful colors of Autumn.  I also love the holidays that are associated with the season of Fall, the trick or treating, the Thanksgiving turkey (ahem, my Granny's dressing) and the anticipation of the Christmas holidays around the corner.

My oldest daughter, Olivia, let me take a few quick shots yesterday under a red maple tree, and I thought these images were a good representation of the new season, the colors, and the joy.









Now, head on over to Erin Norman Photography | Columbus, MS and check out her take on p52, and be sure to follow the links and see other photographers' takes on "Season".

Friday, November 2, 2012

Olivia K | Class of 2013





I had the fortune of photographing this creative young woman recently. Meet high school senior, Olivia. You gotta love a girl that shows up with a carload of props and a head full of ideas for her session.










that's her painting as a background :)














Oh, to be young and beautiful with your life ahead of you!





Monday, October 29, 2012

Meet Jessica Rivera




The other day I asked in my testers group if someone would let me edit one of their images, and Jessica Rivera of Urban Allure Photography stepped up with several for me to choose from.  How could I not edit this one? Totally swoon-worthy.


About this edit:
I love the before image, but full sun images can be really challenging, both in camera and in post processing. For this image, I chose to use "Paint it deeper" (from The Soul Collection) first, in order to add some richness to their surroundings and also to prevent the background from getting too light when I added fill light and brightness to the couple.  I chose a brown brush instead of black on this action to add an earthy warmth instead of a neutral depth.  Next, I ran the action "Frills" (Modern Whimsy Actions), turning on the vignette first and then the fill light, and brightness before making any opacity adjustments or masking.  Next I added "Storm Skirts" from Silver Lining Sky Overlays, using the quick-select tool to make placement quick and easy, then ran "Faux Tilt" (Modern Whimsy) to blur the clouds and treeline for added depth. Finally, I applied the texture "Sunny" (Kindling Luminescent Textures I) at 100% soft light (masked off subjects) and ran "Gold Digger" (The Soul Collection) to add a dreamy quality to the image.  I love the results!  Sounds like a lot of work, but I think I spent about 5 minutes total on this edit.  



Now, a little about the lady behind the image:
Meet Jessica Rivera

photo credit : Capture Photography

Getting to Know Her

Tell me a little about yourself, How did you get started with photography?
As with most photographers, it all started with the birth of my son. I had always been into taking pictures but I wasn't really inspired until after I had him. I wanted to capture things from his point of view. I'll never forget the first time he ever touched grass, he was in awe and it was amazing. I took the little things for granted until I started to see things from the simplest view and it just opened a whole new world for me. 

Edited with Loveley, Sharper and Brighter from The Spectrum Presets Mega Collection for Lightroom

What inspires you?
My son of course and the journey through life. Time flies and I'm glad I am able to freeze a moment for families to look back on and remember how small their little ones once were.

What's in your bag?
 I have three bags actually! I swap them all out to switch it up every now and then. I have a Bronze Rose Jo Tote, Porteen Gear Bag, and a Mustard Epiphanie Lyric. Now for what's in my bag, I have a gripped Canon 50d, 50 mm 1.4, and 85mm 1.8, grey card, a miniature book of inspiration and poses that I made to reflect back on, business cards, memory cards, hand sanitizer, and batteries. Sometimes, I'll randomly have an army man, diapers, etc from my son.

What's your software of choice?
My favorite software is Photoshop CS6. I started with Elements 9 and then upgraded to CS6. I also have Lightroom 4 but I still use CS6 the most.


Edited with Candied, Hazy Love, sharper and Brighter, all from the Spectrum Presets Mega Collection for Lightroom


Do you have any favorite causes, non-profits or charities?
I haven't actually offered any of my services yet to any non-profits or charities but I just applied for a great cause called The Gold Hope Project. I would love to work with them!  (editors note: The Gold Hope Project is an amazing new organization, geared at donating photo sessions to families affected by childhood cancer)

If you weren't a photographer, what would you be?
 I currently do photography on the side. My full time job is in Property Management. I hope to one day grow up and be a full time photographer and teach others with Workshops either in person or in post processing.


Edited with Perfect Skin, No More Red, Tiny Soul and Willow, all from "The Soul Collection"


Favorite things outside of photography?
I'm a total do-it-yourself kind of girl. I love making my own home decor with either simple crafts or revamping furniture.  I also make a lot of my own props.

If you could photograph anyone, alive or dead, who would it be?
Total cliche I know, but I would love to photograph Princess Diana. She had the most amazing style and beauty. Can you imagine having a stylized session with just her and her wardrobe? All the glitz and glam of gorgeous gowns and jewels!





A big thank you to Jessica of Urban Allure Photography for letting me edit her gorgeous image and for sharing a little about herself!  I also want to thank Jessica for being one of my testers and for making my products looks so good!


If you would like to be featured on my blog, email me a RAW file for consideration (swoonthemoon@gmail.com). If I edit your image, you'll be featured on the blog!

Sunday, October 28, 2012

P52 | Spooky

P52 | Spooky


This week I spent a little time "Urban Exploring".  Here are images from an abandoned home I found.  A little "Spooky" if you ask me.....


And here is an image from another home abandoned....


It's spooky too.


Now, heads on over to Erin Norman Photography | Columbus, MS and check out her weekly take on P52

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Paddle Kiss

"Paddle Kisses"


When a family books a session and then asks if they can bring their canoe, you know it's going to be good.  Meet the Parks family from Alabama; Todd, Kelly, Grace and Troy.






Apparently, this is called "Paddle Kisses", and I feel like I have been missing out on a great family tradition.

I want a canoe.


I think this might actually be considered "paddle kisses", too.  See? I have been missing out!


Kelly and Grace


Todd and Troy



um, canvas, please!












See why this post is titled "Paddle Kisses"?












Now, don't you wish you had some paddle kisses, too?